Ben Doak suffers injury scare during Liverpool Under-21s defeat

Ben Doak suffered a suspected an injury scare during Liverpool's EFL Trophy defeat to Bradford on Tuesday night.

The teenager started the game for Barry Lewtas' Under-21s side at Valley Parade, alongside rising starlets Trey Nyoni, Luke Chambers and James McConnell, with the Reds looking to make the last 16 of the tournament.

However, things didn't go to plan for the young Reds who fell to a 3-0 loss against the League Two side, after forward Lewis Koumas was shown a straight red card in the first half.

Meanwhile, there was concern for Doak, who was seen hobbling off the pitch with around 20 minutes to play as he was replaced by Melkamu Frauendorf.

Liverpool academy press officer Andy Kelly reported that Doak was able to walk down the tunnel 'unaided' after his substitution, while Lewis Bower has since reported that the Scotland Under-21 star was merely suffering from cramp.

Rated as one of the top young talents at the club, Doak has been on the periphery of the first-team this season after making his senior Liverpool debut in 2022/23.

The young winger has made four first-team outings in all competitions for Jurgen Klopp's side so far, while he has been an unused substitute on many occasions, including the weekend's thrilling 4-3 win over Fulham.

Doak also made his Scotland Under-21 debut earlier this year, while senior side boss Steve Clarke has spoken of his chances of a call-up ahead of Euro 2024.

Clarke said, as quoted by Football Scotland: "He has just turned 18, he’s just a young man. Give him time to grow into the game. Let him understand the game. He has talents that maybe we don’t have in the squad. But you have to allow young players to develop and find their own game.

"Every now and again you get the odd one that comes through."